California and Oregon Rafting

We met up with the Oregon rafting team to boat the Farmlands section of the White Salmon on Saturday. We were quickly impressed with their truck label and Aire boats with a big “ORT” on them. After sliding our boats off snowy cliffs, helping kayakers get their truck out of the snow, and some Yoga poses we were on the river.

These guys definitely knew what they were doing and we were solid all day on the river. There was only one wrap on a nasty rapid called Doorbell. This was convenient for us since we were able to go over their boat (and the rock) which kept us from wrapping. After some pulling and pushing, the boat came off which gave Kevin the opportunity to tell them how he saved the Oregon Rafting Team 10 years ago in Gore Canyon. It turns out this is a different (and better) Oregon Rafting Team.

The coolest part was watching a couple of the team members run the 12 foot waterfall called Lava Falls (not to be confused with Lava Falls on the Grand Canyon). While we were portaging on the icy banks, they beautifully ran this big drop. The last few miles of the run were easy so we decided to race the Oregon team. I’m not sure if they knew it was a race, but it seems to be implied thats what we were doing. So we sprinted to the Green Truss and barely beat them to the finish. There were cheers all around!

At take out, the team had a cool system of pulleys and ropes to pull the rafts 70 or so feet up onto the Green Truss Bridge. Kevin showed them his rigging skillz and Dan heroicly threw Kevin his Snickers Bar 70 feet below.

The team was fun to boat with and we can’t wait to get on the river with these guys again!

Looking For a Great Summer Job?
Kern River Outfitters is accepting applications for River Guide jobs on the Kern River in the Sequoia National Forest. No experience is necessary. . . you can learn the needed skills at our professional whitewater school scheduled for two consecutive weekends April 18th – April 20th, and April 25th – 27th, 2008. At Kern River Outfitters, we offer competitive wages and great benefits including:

- An active, fun lifestyle spending the summer outdoors on the river.
- A supportive, team oriented work environment.
- The opportunity to meet and raft with hundreds of interesting people.
- Comprehensive training in swiftwater rescue skills, customer service, natural and human history.
- Discounted rafting trips for friends and family.
- Participation in company SIMPLE-IRA pension plan.
- Subsidized summer housing.
- Discounts on outdoor gear.
- The chance to work on other awesome rivers in Idaho and Oregon.
- Training and skill development in the recreation industry.

If you’re interested in this exciting opportunity, please contact:
Keith Stephens
Kern River Outfitters
P.O. Box 1207
Wofford Heights, CA 93285
www.KernRafting.com
1-800-323-4234